Tattooed

IX

I woke up around noon the next day because my night with Wes made me exhausted. I had just started to prepare food in my kitchen when my wall buzzed with a call. I got out of my seat, pressed accept and a blue holographic image of Corinth appeared.

"Hey." The mini version of Corinth greeted. "So I was thinking round two of exploring the city? I wanted to visit the park."

I nod happily and tell her we could have a lunch picnic. She agrees and after finishing the plans her image flickers off. I looked at the clock. It was almost 12:30 so I cleaned the table and went to get ready for the park picnic.



I sat on my porch waiting for Corinth after I got dressed. The fun part about having an infinite choice of clothes is I don't spend a lot of time sorting through my clothes. I search what I want and it comes to me in a blink. Today I just have a loose red sweater and orange leggings. It's the perfect weather for lunch in the park.

Corinth came and we got to the park in a few minutes. She talked about her job and her ideas for songs and I was content just listening. She held a cute big picnic basket as we got out of the car and looked for a spot. The park was the only natural place I've seen so far in the Creative Stratum. There were beautiful trees and flowers and sweet smells wafting through the breeze. Not one screen was in sight, or even chrome sculptures. I had a feeling I was this was going to be one of my favorite places.

We settled in a spot underneath a big tree. I unfolded the blanket and leaned against the tree as Corinth set out the food.

"This is nice. Peaceful, and quiet." I said.

Corinth gave me a smirk. "I figured you would like it. It matches your personality."

I smile but I was still feeling so sleepy. I picked at my sandwich while Corinth kept on talking and joking. All of a sudden she stopped and hit me. I yelp.

"Corinth!"

"What time did you sleep last night? You look tired."

I shrug while stifling a yawn. "I...was preoccupied."

Corinth squinted at me. Her glare almost burned. Then suddenly she gasped. "You were with a BOY!"

"Wha-how...what makes you say that?" I splutter. Corinth chortles and pats my shoulder.

"I was from Cunning remember Cecil? I have amazing deductive skills." Her smirk was scarily like Wes'. "So Cessa has a boy toy now huh? What's his name?"

I shake my head violently. "It's not like that. We're barely even friends. And I-I can't say anything about him."

Corinth chomped on an apple and contemplated me. I could feel her analyzing me like she was unlocking the secrets in my mind. "I'm not a gossip Cecil."

"No I didn't mean it like that!" I covered my face with my hands. "It's just...we're not exactly the kind of friends who can go out in public like this."

Corinth puts her apple down and pops her knuckles. "Lemme tell you a little life tip. There's no point in life if you don't have a crazy story to tell. Rules and status quos are meant to be broken."

"That sounds like a Courageous philosophy." I grin. Corinth shrugs.

"My dad was from Courageous."

I take a chance and spring for a sentimental moment. "Do you miss him sometimes?" She nods but waves it off.

"I try not to think about it. Life is all about making your own story. That's another Courageous philosophy."

I take Corinth's advice to heart. We spend the rest of the picnic talking and laughing but her words kept rolling around my head. Wes is a good guy. I liked when we talked. He doesn't care if he gets caught and it shouldn't matter if he decides to visit me every now and then. Like Corinth said, rules were meant to be broken right? I could tell my kids one day about the crazy nights I spent talking with a guy illegally.

I felt like there was an inner war inside me. I wanted to continue my friendship with Wes but I was still so against the fact he was illegally coming here from Courageous. It was almost like my heart against my mind.

"Corinth?" I finally asked her before we left. "You're smart. Would you choose what's right or want you want?" I had to get a second opinion on Wes or I would outright scream.

Corinth gives me a sympathetic smile. "I told you rules were meant to be broken. You only get one shot at life, do what makes you happy."

That settled it. I was going to welcome Wes whenever he wanted guilt free. I hugged Corinth tightly and she pushed me off laughing.

"All right all right mushy. Let's pack up."